Government of Canada and Tŝilhqot’in National Government to advance construction of a new Pacific salmon hatchery for Fraser Chinook

For generations, First Nations have served as stewards of Pacific salmon and the watersheds that sustain them. Collaboration between Indigenous governments and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to play an important role in rebuilding vulnerable salmon populations in British Columbia and Yukon.

Tŝilhqot’in Territory, British Columbia – For generations, First Nations have served as stewards of Pacific salmon and the watersheds that sustain them. Collaboration between Indigenous governments and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to play an important role in rebuilding vulnerable salmon populations in British Columbia and Yukon.

Today, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, in partnership with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government, announced the award of a contract valued at over $7.5M to Industra Construction, to formally initiate construction of a new Pacific salmon conservation hatchery in the upper Fraser River watershed.

Since 2022, the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) and DFO have collaboratively completed feasibility, design, and permitting for a salmon conservation hatchery in Tŝilhqot’in Territory. The facility will be located near Hanceville, British Columbia, on the traditional territory of the Tŝilhqot’in First Nation.

Built by the Government of Canada and operated by the Tŝilhqot’in National Government, the hatchery will be used to rebuild Chinook salmon populations in the Chilcotin River watershed and surrounding area, a number of which have been assessed as at-risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.